Method of erecting prefabricated building

ABSTRACT

A method of erecting a prefabricated portable building comprising the step of placing elongated base sills or the ground site in laterally spaced and parallel relationship, hinging a plurality of superstructure ribs to the sills at intervals spaced along the sills, attaching purlins between adjacent ribs using fasteners prefabricated thereon, and securing a plurality of foldable panel units to the ribs in overlying relationship with the purlins using releasable wedge assemblies prefabricated on the ribs.

United States Patent Walter B. Nichols 77 Lounsbury Road, Trumbull, Conn. 06611 [21] Appl. No. 847,010

[22] Filed Aug. 4, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 23, 1971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 631,799, Apr. 18, 1967, now abandoned.

I72] Inventor [54] METHOD OF ERECTING PREFABRICATED BUILDING 13. Claims, 14 Drawing Figs. [52] 1.1.8. Cl. 52/741, 52/86, 52/127 [51] Int. Cl. E04b 1/35, E04g 21/14 [50] Field of Search 52/741,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.912076 1 1/1959 Costis 52/86X 3,206,897 9/ 1 965 Hilker et a1. 52/127X 3,236,020 2/ 1966 Toffolon....'.... 52/745 3,271,921 9/1966 Divoky 52/747 3,398,491 8/1968 Babcock 52/741X FOREIGN PATENTS 844,15 8 8/1960 Great Britain 52/747 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, .l r Attorney-Beveridge & De Grandi ABSTRACT: A method of erecting a prefabricated portable building comprising the step of placing elongated base sills or the ground site in laterally spaced and parallel relationship, hinging a plurality of superstructure ribs to the sills at intervals spaced along the sills, attaching purlins between'adjacent ribs using fasteners prefabricated thereon, and securing a plurality of foldable panel units to the ribs in overlying relationship with the purlins using releasable wedge assemblies prefabricated on the ribs.

PATENTED mas I97! SHEET 2 BF 3 4 INVENTOR. l Valler 5 M'c/Yals ll/I) METHOD OF ERECTING PREFABRICATED BUILDING RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior copending U.S. applications, Ser. No. 631,799 filed Apr. I8, 1967, entitled Prefabricated Building and Method of Erecting Same, and now abandoned, and Ser. No. 668,818 filed Sept. 19, 1967 entitled Improvements in Building Construction, now Pat. No. 3,494,083.

The present invention relates to a unique prefabricated building and method for erecting the same. Although particularly suitable in commercial construction such as hangers, warehouses, or manufacturingplants, the present invention is also applicable in other types of construction.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a new and improved prefabricated building which may be quickly and easily erected for use and-subsequently disassembled for storage or transportation to another site. Ineluded herein is such a prefabricated'building which may be erected or disassembled with a minimum of workmen using standard tools and without any special skills. 1

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel method of moving panels over aprefabricated portable building during erection or disassembly of the building.

Other objects of and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a'building constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown with certain portions removed and others in phantom for purposes of illustration;-

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a panel unit employed in the building illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating partly in phantom, sequential steps in erecting rib framework included in the building;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental perspective view of a rib included in the building and a tool which may be employed in erecting the rib;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental perspective view, with portions in phantom, illustrating attachment of a rib to a sill at the base of the building;

FIG. 5a is fragmental detail view illustrating assembly of fasteners for securing a rib to a sill;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the building as completed;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmental view of a rib as viewed longitudinally of the building;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 9-9 of FIG. I;

FIG. 10 is a fragmental, perspective view illustrating assembly of a purlin to a rib as included in the building;

FIG. 11 is a fragmental, transverse, cross-sectional view to two adjacent panels included in the panel unit of FIG. 2 illustrating the connection therebetween when in unfolded coplanar position;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. ll except it is taken with respect to adjacent end panels of two successive panel units; and

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but illustrating a modified and preferred rib construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. I illustrates one form of a building embodying the present invention and having a semicylindrical construction the major components of which include a pair of base sills I0 extending along the base on the opposite sides of the building; a plurality of arched ribs 12 spanning the sills and defining the superstructure framework; a plurality of secondary supporting members or purlins 14 extending between the ribs; and a plurality of panel units 18 attached to the ribs, to form the cover of the building.

Base sills 10 may be made from any suitable material such as wood having for example a 6 inches X2 /inches cross section and a length sufiieient to extend between the opposite ends of the building as shown in FIG. I. For stability and load distribution, a plurality of base plates 20 are provided below sills 10 at the rib locations. In the shown embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 5 each base plate 20 has a U-shaped passage 22 in its upper face receiving the sills. Any suitable material such as wood dimensioned 24 inches X24 inches X3'/zinches may be employed for the base plate. Although other modular dimensions may be employed, in one embodiment, the distance between ribs 12 or the centers of base plates 20, may be for example about 8 feet. Additionally in one standard size the sills 10 may be 64 feet long corresponding to the length of the building, with a lateral spacing of approximately 50 feet corresponding to the building width.

Ribs 12 may be also be constructed from wood, for example laminated Douglas Fir (2500 p'.s.i.) having a cross section 3% inches X6 inches. Each rib 12 may be formed of sections lZVz feet in length spliced together for example by the plates 24 so as to span the sills with a clear height at its crown of approximately 24 feet.

For purposes of erection and disassembly, ribs 12 are pivotally connected to sills I0 for swinging movement between a generally horizontal position extending generally parallel to the plane of the sills suchas illustrated the lowermost position shown in FIG. 3, and vertical erected position projecting upwardly from the sills as shown in FIG. I. In the specific embodiment shown, this connection of the ribs to the sills is achieved by hinge anchor members each having a first leaf 30 fixed to the sill with an arm portion 32 projecting upwardly at right angles from the sill and engaged against the leg 13 of the associated ribs as shown in FIG. 5.

Leaf arm 32 has formed at its upper extremity a portion of the hinge barrel which extends horizontally transversely of the sill at a point spaced above the sill as clearly shown in FIG. 5. The other leaf of the hinge designated 34 is attached to rib leg 13 and has formed therein the remaining portion of the hinge barrel. A conventional hinge pin 36 is received in the hinge barrel to complete the hinge assembly. It will thus be seen that in moving between the horizontal and vertical positions, the ribs will pivot about the hinge pins 26 which are spaced upwardly from the sills to provide sufficient room for the ribs.

After erection into the vertical position, ribs 12 are secured to sills I0 by shoes shown as right angle members each having a first arm 40 bolted to the associated rib leg 13 in a position opposite hinge portions 32, 34 and a second arm 42 normally projecting from the rib leg, see FIG. 5. Shoe arm 42 is secured to the sill by threaded fasteners such as bolts or screws 46 inserted through apertures 44 in the shoe arm and into nuts 48 fixed in the sill. To facilitate placement and securement of fasteners 46, nuts 48 are of the Ttype and embedded in the sill so that fasteners 46 may be secured in the nuts from above the shoes.

In erecting ribs 12, the endmost rib is first erected and secured through hinges 30, 32, 34 and shoes 40, 42 as described above after which the remaining ribs are erected and secured in successive order. After the first two ribs are erected, assembly of purlins 14 between the ribs may be commenced, that is, during the erection of the remaining ribs.

In the shown embodiment, purlins 14 have a tubular construction formed from any suitable material, preferably aluminum water tubes 1% inches OD. and approximately 8 feet in length. The opposite ends of purlins I4 are fixed to adjacent ribs at two foot centers along the ribs by any suitable means which preferably include right angle male brackets 50 fixed to the opposite ends of the purlins and cooperable female brackets 52 fixed to the opposite sides of the ribs at 2 feet centers. Brackets 40 each have depending arms 54 which are passed through the channel passage 56 in the cooperable female brackets 52 to align apertures 58 in the male brackets with passages 60 extending transversely in the side faces of the ribs.

To lock male brackets 50 in female brackets 52 conventional releasable fasteners 62 known as a Simmons fastener may be employed. These fasteners 62 each include an anchor plate 64 fixed to the side face of the rib and having an aperture 66 overlying passage 60 in the rib, and a male member composed of inner and outer telescoping parts 68, 70 biased apart by a spring 72 located in the outer part 72. Male member 68, 70 is placed through anchor plate aperture 66 into passage 60 in the rib and the inner male part 68 is depressed against spring 72 and rotated to snap lugs 74 on the inner male part 68 in corresponding notches 76 formed in the anchor plates as shown in FIG. 9. Inasmuch as Simmons fasteners are of conventional construction further description in this regard is not believed to be necessary. Moreover it will be understood that other releasable fasteners may be employed instead of that shown in the drawings.

After purlins I4 are secured between ribs I2, panel units I8 may then be assembled. In the specific embodiment illustrated and with reference to FIGS. 2, II and I2, each panel unit comprises six rectangular panels 80 made from any suitable material for example inches plywood which has been spraycoated with an epoxy substance to make it water and weather resistant and also to increase its durability and strength. Panels 80 are flexibly interconnected along their sides by continuous elongated strips 82 of flexible material such as cross woven nylon with a vinyl coating marketed under the trademark HERCULITE. Adjacent panels 80 in each unit are interspaced a predetermined distance and the flexible strip 82 extends through the length of the panels while being bonded thereto by any suitable means such as an adhesive designated 84. Flexible strips 82 act as a hinge to permit the panels to be folded in overlying relationship as shown in FIG. 2 for purposes of storage and transportation. Additionally flexible strips 82 because of their material, also provide continuous weatherproof seals between the panels.

In order to connect adjacent panel units 18 together to maintain continuity particularly with regard to scaling, the end panels (see FIG. 12) are provided with a releasable fastener preferably a strip 86 of hook pile fabric or other material such as marketed under the trademark VELCRO. In each panel unit 18 one end panel is provided with a flexible strip 820 along its outer side so as to extend outwardly beyond that side for purposes of overlapping the end panel of the adjacent panel unit as shown in FIG. I2. Flexible strip 82a has a hook pile strip 86 attached along it underside so as to be engageable with a corresponding hook pile 86 continuously placed on the adjacent end panel. Hook pile strips 86 may be secured to the panels, by any suitable means, such as an adhesive. In engaging the hook pile strips 86, finger pressure is merely required. Once engaged, a continuous seal will be maintained between adjacent panel units. Upon disassembly of the building, hook pile strips 86 may be separated by slight manual effort.

In a preferred embodiment, to facilitate movement of the panels over the purlins prior to securement or after securement when it is desired to dismantle the building, a plurality of roller sleeves 14 are provided on each of the purlins intermediate the ends thereof. Preferably, the purlins are constructed with raised portions so as to maintain the sleeves in certain positions on the purlins so the sleeves will be aligned for each of the purlins in a row. For a more detailed description of the sleeve structure as well as the purlins, reference is made to my aforementioned prior copending applications, Ser. No. 631,799 filed Apr. I8, 1967 and Ser. No. 668,818 filed Sept. 19, 1967.

In moving the panels over the purlins during erection of the building, it is preferable that the panel units be folded to one ofthe building as shown in FIG. I. The uppermost panel unit is then connected to a cable 2 by any suitable mechanism which would allow the upper panel unit to be moved over the purlins upon movement of the cable. Although in the shown embodiment, cable 2 is connected to the first panel by means of a hook and eye, one or more concentrical vise grips (not shown) may also be employed. In this latter event the handle of the vise grip would be connected to the cable 2 and the jaws of the grips would be clamped on the edge of the panel. As the first panel unit leaves the stack of panels and moves over the purlins it is stopped and the next panel unit may then be fastened to the first panel unit by interengaging the hook pile material on the units. Movement of the cable 2 may then be continued to move the first and second panel units together over the purlins as facilitated by the sleeves 14. When the second panel unit leaves the stack of panels the third panel unit may then be connected to the second panel unit by interengaging their respective hook pile material. This process is repeated until all of the panel units have been interconnected and moved over the purlins by using the same cable.

It should be noted that the hook pile material is of sufficicnt strength to maintain the panel units together in the proper assembled position as the panel units are being simultaneously moved over the purlins by means of the cable. Any suitable arrangement such as a winch 5 may be employed for moving the cable. In addition, the sleeves preferably are formed with grooves in their external peripheries for receiving the cable to guide and properly maintain the cables proper position during movement over the purlins.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. panels are placed on molding strips 17 fixed to the opposite side faces of the ribs below the upper faces I5 of the ribs. The spacing of molding strips 17 below the rib face I5 is equal to the thickness of the panels 80 so that the top surfaces of the latter are flush or continuous with the top face 15 of the rib. Additionally the ends of panels 80 are placed in abutting engagement against the side faces of the rib to form a closed joint.

To secure and lock panel units I8 in place on the ribs and purlins, a plurality of releasable clamping assemblies are provided on the upper faces I5 of the ribs at suitable intervals as may be required throughout the ribs. In the preferred embodiment, clamping assemblies 90 are of the wedge type each including a stud provided by a threaded bolt 92 fixed in the rib and projecting perpendicularly from upper face I5 thereof a suitable distance for purposes of accommodating a wedge as will be described. The head 94 of bolt 92 forms a stop for the pressure applying elements to be described, while the bottom end of the bolt is locked by a nut and washer assembly 96 engaged against the bottom face of the rib. A spacer tube 98 is placed about bolt 92 and extends between rib face I5 and a washer I00 abutting bolt head 94 so that a predetermined distance between bolt head 94 and rib face I5 may easily be produced during fabrication.

Slidably and rotatably received about spacer tube 98 is a pressure block I02; the latter having a central aperture I03 through which spacer tube 98 passes. Pressure block I02 has a flat bottom face I04 adapted to transversely engage a pair of elongated, continuous pressure bars I06 which extend over the opposite sides of rib face I5 into engagement with the ends of panels 80 throughout the full length of the rib. Pressure bars 106 partially overly rib face I5, and to insure proper positioning of pressure bars 106. elongated spacer strips I08 are fixed along the longitudinal centerline of rib face 15 to be engaged by the inner side edges of pressure bars I06 as shown in FIG. 9. Spacer strips 108 are intermittently placed along rib face I5 between bolts 92.

For sealing purposes, a pair of elongated continuous strips 109 of neoprene or other rubberlike resilient sealing material. are interposed respectively between the bottom faces of pressure bars 106 and the ends of panels 80 with portions of the sealing strips 109 also contacting rib face 15 as shown in FIG. 8. During shop fabrication of pressure bars 106, sealing strips 109 may be bonded thereto by a suitable adhesive. Additionally during assembly at the construction site. sealing strips 109 may, if desired, also be bonded to the upper surfaces of the ends of panels 80 and/or upper face 15 of the rib.

Completing the clamping assembly is a wedge I10 having an elongated slot 112 receiving spacer tube 98 above pressure block 102 so that the wedge is mounted for slidable and rotatable movement relative to the spacer tube as well as the pressure block. In securing panels 80, wedge 110 is oriented transversely of the pressure block and longitudinally over the upper rib face as shown in FIG. 7 and then the wedge is hammered to apply pressure on pressure block 102 which in turn forces pressure bars 106 downwardly firm engagement against panels 80. To releasably retain wedge 110 in its advanced, pressure applying, position, its underside is formed with corrugations or ratchet teeth 113 which are engageable with the edges of the underlying pressure block. As shown in FIG. 7, the edges in the pressure'block 102 are teeth formed in the top of the latter with a shape and dimensions complementary to teeth 113 of wedge 110. g

Preferably the wedges and pressure blocks are made from aluminum, and in one exemplary construction, pressure bars 106 may have across section of l%'inches by 3 /inches and the locating strips, l /zinches by /zinches. It is preferred that locating strips 108 and the clamping'assemblies 90 be incorporated on the ribs during fabrication'in the shop so that during assembly of the building in theIfield, it is only necessary to apply the pressure bars 106, orient the wedges and pressure blocks and then merely hammerthe wedges into the final locking position. No adjustment of the bolts 92 in the field is required since, spacer tubes 98 insure uniform wedging action of the wedges and consequently uniform clamping pressures applied to the panels 80. Spacer tubes 98 moreover act as a bearing between the bolt 92 and. the wedge and pressure block. 1

FIG. 13 illustrates a preferred modification of the rib construction shown in FIG. 8 wherein molding strips 17 are omitted and panels 80 placed directly on upper face 15 of the rib. In this modification locating strips 108 also serve to properly position panels 80 on rib face 15. The other parts of the joint in the modification of FIG. 13 are the same as that in FlG. 8. It will be apparent that thejoint shown in either FIG. 8 or FIG. 13 as employed together with flexible strips 82 between the panels, render the building entirely weatherproof. After panel units 18 have been attached throughout the rib and purlin framework, opposite end walls (not shown) with doors or windows may be attached to the structure by any conventional method assuming that the use of the building requires such. It will also be understood that panel units 18 may have incorporated therein, windows 19 as shown in FIG. 1.

To summarize assembly of the building in accordance with the present invention, sills 10 are layed on the ground site in proper spaced relationship and with the underlying base plates 20 at the proper intervals corresponding to the spacing of ribs 12. The end rib is then hinged to the sills by inserting the hinge pins 36 in their barrels. From the horizontal position lying on the ground surface, the end rib is then raised to the upright position by pivoting at its hinges. Fasteners 46 are then placed through rib shoes 42 and engaged in the underlying nuts 48 to secure the rib in the vertical position. Depending onthe size and span of the rib, it may be desirable to provide a temporary external support for the end rib when first erected. However, when the purlins are attached, the external support will not be required in view of the support and rigidity offered by the purlins.

ln raising the ribs into the erected position, elongated poles 120 may be used as illustrated in FIG. 1. Although not necessary, ribs 12 may be provided with one or more recesses 122 each formed by bracket members 124 (see FIG. 4) for receiving a ball 126 attached on the end of a pm 129. Pole 120 may then be provided at its end with a socket illustrated as a U- shaped bracket 130, having an aperture 132 for receiving pin 128. In this manner, poles 120 may be releasably attached to ribs 12 for purposes of erection and thereafter easily removed.

However, instead of the bracket and pin assembly shown in FIG. 4, the pole may be provided with nails or spikes (not shown) projecting from their ends which may be engaged in the ribs for purposes of erecting the ribs. Additionally any other suitable means may be employed for raising the ribs into the vertical position.

After the end rib is erected, the next adjacent rib is swung into vertical position and secured, and at this stage placement of purlins 14 between the two erected ribs may be commended, that is, while erection of the remaining ribs continues. Assembly of the purlins is easily effected merely by in sertion of their brackets 54 through female brackets 52 on the sides of the ribs. This "aligns bracket apertures 58 with apertures 66 and rib passages 60 after which Simmons fasteners 62 are merely inserted through the latter, and rotated into locking position. in assembling purlins 14, the lowermost purlin is first installed and then thenext higher purlin and so on so that a ladder structure is formed to facilitate assembly without requiring scaffolding. It will also be recognized that the installation of the purlins provides added support to the ribs so that during construction, virtually no external support is required.

After a sufficient number of purlins have been installed, assembly of panel units 18 may be commenced. ln applying the panels, they are unfolded from the storage position generally shown in FIG. 2 and then placed on the purlins with the opposite ends of the panels engaged against the rib faces 15 as in the preferred modification shown in H0. 13. This step is facilitated by spacer strips 108 which properly locate the panels. Pressure bars 106 with their underlying seal strips 109 are then applied over the ends of the panels and then pressure blocks 102 are oriented transversely of the ribs to engage the upper surface of pressure bars 106. Oriented transverse to pressure blocks 102 as shown in FlG.'7, wedges 110 are then hammered to downwardly wedge the pressure blocks which in turn force pressure bars 106 firmly against the panels to secure them in place. The next adjacent panel unit 18 may then be installed in the same manner, and to connect the end panels of adjacent panel units the hook piles 86 are interengaged by finger pressure applied along strips 82a (see FIG. 12).

To disassemble the building for storage or transportation to another site, the above steps are essentially reversed. The disassembled parts may be stored in a highly compact manner without crating and transported by truck, train, ship or plane. The same parts may again be assembled to construct the building without requiring new parts or replacements or any procedural departure from the method of assembly described above. Not only is the building easily and rapidly constructed with minimum personnel requiring only standard tools, but also it possesses sufficient strength in combination with a relatively light weight. ln one embodiment such as that described above, the building will support a 40 pound per square foot roof load and exhibit vibration-free characteristics when subjected to a I00 mile per hour wind. Additionally in this embodiment the knock down volume of the building is approximately I043 cubic feet with a total weight of l4,000 pounds which provide a 3,000 square foot building.

Although the building shown and described herein has a semicylindrical configuration, it will be appreciated that the present invention may be applied-to construct buildings having a rectangular frame or A-frame construction as well as others.

Moreover, other modifications readily apparent from the foregoing description and associated drawings, although not specifically mentioned herein, will nevertheless be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as indicated in the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. A method of constructing a prefabricated building com prising the steps of locating a plurality of pairs of anchor members on a ground site in laterally spaced relationship with each pair of anchor members being in alignment with an adjacent pair in one direction extending along opposite sides of the building to be constructed, hinging a plurality of superstructure ribs to each pair of anchor members respectively with the ribs spanning the anchor members transversely of said one direction, raising the ribs from horizontal positions to vertical erected positions by swinging the ribs upwardly about the anchor members, attaching purlins between adjacent ribs using elements prefabricated on the purlins and ribs, unfolding a plurality of foldable panel units, and securing the unfolded panel units to the ribs in overlying relationship with the purlins by using releasable clamping assemblies prefabricated on the ribs at spaced intervals along the ribs.

2. The method defined in claim 1 further including the step of attaching the purlins by starting with the lowermost purlins and proceeding in consecutive elevational order to attach the next higher purlins to form a ladder structure facilitating assembly of the remaining purlins and other parts of the buildmg.

3. The method defined in claim 2 further including the step of using elongated poles engaged against the ribs for raising the ribs into the vertical positions.

4, The method defined in claim 3 further including the step of releasably connecting the poles to the ribs for purposes of erecting the ribs.

5. The method defined in claim I further including the step of attaching adjacent panel units together by employing releasable fasteners prefabricated on the ends of the panel units.

6. The method defined in claim 5 wherein the releasable fasteners prefabricated on the ends of the panel units include strips of hook pile material extending throughout the opposite end edges of each of the panel units.

7. The method defined in claim I further including the steps of placing rollers over the purlins intennediate the ends thereof and moving the foldable panel units over the rollers into position on the purlins prior to securement by the releasable clamping assemblies.

8. The method defined in claim 7 further including the steps of attaching the adjacent panel units together prior to movement over the purlins, and then moving a plurality of panel units over the purlins simultaneously.

9. The method defined in claim 1 further including the steps of applying elongated pressure bars over the ribs in engagement with the ends of the panels, and wherein said clamping assemblies include wedges and pressure blocks, the pressure blocks being forced downwardly by the wedges in transverse engagement with the pressure bars for securing the panels on the ribs.

10. The method defined in claim 9 further including the step of employing spacer strips along the upper faces of the ribs extending along the eenterlines of the ribs for locating the panels transversely on the ribs.

11. The method defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of elongated sills are placed on the ground surface on opposite sides of the building and wherein said anchoring members are fixed to said sills at spaced intervals along the sills.

12. In the field of building construction wherein a plurality of purlins are secured between structural members to form the frame of a wall or roof in a building to be covered with panels secured over the purlins and the structural members to form an enclosure for sheltering people or storing objects; the method comprising the steps of employing rotatable sleeves received about the purlins respectively intermediate the ends thereof for facilitating movement of panels over the purlins, attaching panels together to form panel units prior to movement over the purlins, and then moving a plurality of panel units over the purlins simultaneously with a cable connected to the first panel to be moved over the purlins. the cable extending from saidfirst panel on one side of the building to the other side of the building while passing over and engaging the sleeves.

[3. A method of constructing a prefabricated building comprising the steps of raising a plurality of super structure ribs into vertical position with the ribs being spaced laterally with respect to each other in general alignment, attaching a plurality of purlins to and between the ribs, and releasably securing a plurality of panels over the ribs and purlins with the use of a plurality of manually and individuallyI operable releasable clamping assemblies positioned along t e ribs at spaced locations along the ribs, each of the clamping assemblies including clamping members. the securement of the panels being effected by wedging the clamping members into engagement with the outer surfaces of the panels for clamping the panels between the clamping members and the ribs. 

1. A method of constructing a prefabricated building comprising the steps of locating a plurality of pairs of anchor members on a ground site in laterally spaced relationship with each pair of anchor members being in alignment with an adjacent pair in one direction extending along opposite sides of the building to be constructed, hinging a plurality of superstructure ribs to each pair of anchor members respectively with the ribs spanning the anchor members transversely of said one direction, raising the ribs from horizontal positions to vertical erected positions by swinging the ribs upwardly about the anchor members, attaching purlins between adjacent ribs using elements prefabricated on the purlins and ribs, unfolding a plurality of foldable panel units, and securing the unfolded panel units to the ribs in overlying relationship with the purlins by using releasable clamping assemblies prefabricated on the ribs at spaced intervals along the ribs.
 2. The method defined in claim 1 further including the step of attaching the purlins by starting with the lowermost purlins and proceeding in consecutive elevational order to attach the next higher purlins to form a ladder structure facilitating assembly of the remaining purlins and other parts of the building.
 3. The method defined in claim 2 further including the step of using elongated poles engaged against the ribs for raising the ribs into the vertical positions.
 4. The method defined in claim 3 further including the step of releasably connecting the poles to the ribs for purposes of erecting the ribs.
 5. The method defined in claim 1 further including the step of attaching adjacent panel units together by employing releasable fasteners prefabricated on the ends of the panel units.
 6. The method defined in claim 5 wherein the releasable fasteners prefabricated on the ends of the panel units include strips of hook pile material extending throughout the opposite end edges of each of the panel units.
 7. The method defined in claim 1 further including the steps of placing rollers over the Purlins intermediate the ends thereof and moving the foldable panel units over the rollers into position on the purlins prior to securement by the releasable clamping assemblies.
 8. The method defined in claim 7 further including the steps of attaching the adjacent panel units together prior to movement over the purlins, and then moving a plurality of panel units over the purlins simultaneously.
 9. The method defined in claim 1 further including the steps of applying elongated pressure bars over the ribs in engagement with the ends of the panels, and wherein said clamping assemblies include wedges and pressure blocks, the pressure blocks being forced downwardly by the wedges in transverse engagement with the pressure bars for securing the panels on the ribs.
 10. The method defined in claim 9 further including the step of employing spacer strips along the upper faces of the ribs extending along the centerlines of the ribs for locating the panels transversely on the ribs.
 11. The method defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality of elongated sills are placed on the ground surface on opposite sides of the building and wherein said anchoring members are fixed to said sills at spaced intervals along the sills.
 12. In the field of building construction wherein a plurality of purlins are secured between structural members to form the frame of a wall or roof in a building to be covered with panels secured over the purlins and the structural members to form an enclosure for sheltering people or storing objects; the method comprising the steps of employing rotatable sleeves received about the purlins respectively intermediate the ends thereof for facilitating movement of panels over the purlins, attaching panels together to form panel units prior to movement over the purlins, and then moving a plurality of panel units over the purlins simultaneously with a cable connected to the first panel to be moved over the purlins, the cable extending from said first panel on one side of the building to the other side of the building while passing over and engaging the sleeves.
 13. A method of constructing a prefabricated building comprising the steps of raising a plurality of super structure ribs into vertical position with the ribs being spaced laterally with respect to each other in general alignment, attaching a plurality of purlins to and between the ribs, and releasably securing a plurality of panels over the ribs and purlins with the use of a plurality of manually and individually operable releasable clamping assemblies positioned along the ribs at spaced locations along the ribs, each of the clamping assemblies including clamping members, the securement of the panels being effected by wedging the clamping members into engagement with the outer surfaces of the panels for clamping the panels between the clamping members and the ribs. 